Group Seeks Sex-education Hearing Petition Asks For Program Stressing Values

June 28, 1987|By Patsy V. Pressley of The Sentinel Staff

DELAND — A group that has been critical of the school system's moves to expand its sex education program is planning to ask the Volusia County School Board to hold a public hearing on the subject, organizers say.

The group also has gathered a petition with 1,500 names that asks the board to consider a two-week ''Sex Respect'' sex education program because it does ''not feel that the value-free family life curriculum deals responsibly with sex education.''

DeLand community activist Pat Westbrook said the petition will be presented during the school board's regular meeting Tuesday afternoon.

''We don't feel that parents actually know what's going on,'' said Westbrook. ''We want more parent input and to take a look at this other program.''

The petition comes in reponse to a recent report from the school district's Family Life Curriculum Committee, which recommended the district use lessons that increase students' self-esteem, knowledge about AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases and their study of problems like teen-age pregnancy.

A curriculum specialist is working on incorporating those details into the students' studies at various stages from kindergarten through 12th grade. That work includes a five-week sex education program for junior high students and additional sex education with emphasis on abstinence in some high school elective courses.

Although the committee did not address the issue of school-based clinics to provide students health care, the petition opposes the clinics, whether or not they would prescribe contraceptives for students.

Assistant Superintendent Evelyn Lynn, who headed the curriculum committee, said the group addressed the petition's request for the ''Sex Respect'' course during its meeting and recommended the program be instituted.

''I think we're all concerned about coming up with a continuation of what we're doing now with greater emphasis on abstinence, self-confidence and AIDS,'' Lynn said.

The group found that the district's studies included little information on AIDS, acquired immune deficiency syndrome, but more information will be included in classes this fall. The other subjects will be introduced gradually, she said.

Lynn noted that most curriculum changes do not require school board hearings or direct votes, although it can be done for controversial issues. But she does not think the group's complaints are controversial because they were addressed during the committee's meetings.

Lynn added that parents also have the option of pulling their children out of discussions or class studies they find objectionable.

Committee member Debbie Maxwell said she supports the petition drive. Maxwell said it is true she was allowed to present her views but she and others would like to do so before elected officials.

''We do not question that teen pregnancies or AIDS are problems among our children,'' Maxwell said, ''but we want to use something that's going to work.''